Posts by Alive!

9

JWs' love to brag about preaching but.....

by pleaseresearch in

if what they are preaching about is untrue and false, does it really count?

i mean over the 100 years plus we have been going, how much of what we taught was absolute crap.

how many things taught about never came true.

Alive!

In all the time I was a baptised and converted JW, we had maybe two or three converts who had zero family who were JWs - one was spectacularly mentally unstable, two or three others were more or less frog marched to each meeting and mysteriously disappeared after baptism.

I remember one summer morning, on field service in a beautiful part of our city, in an Avenue of trees and delightful well kept homes....we knocked on the open door of one of these family homes....and out rushed two flushed children yelling 'nana! Grandad!' And then of course they realised their grandparents had not arrived yet - but just minutes later, the grandparents turned up.

This little family looked so happy - their Mother politely and smilingly listened to my shortened version of a 'presentation' whilst behind her, I could see open doorways into a garden where kids were laughing and playing and it was 'family time'.

I thought about all the hoops and heart wrenching chaos this family would go through if 'mum' became a witness and and as I reviewed the awkwardly and garishly illustrated little magazine I held in my hand which hardly 'reached the heart' I wondered what an earth we were really doing, as I joined our straggling group that morning whose attitude was 'they have their paradise now'.

These people, these householders weren't turning down or rejecting God -- I knew this ....and another nail went in my coffin of trust.

30

not all JW's are asleep

by Damascus in

jw
friends

i am an 'active' jw but i do not agree with most of the doctrines inc blood, baptism, the memorial etc etc.i took the emblems at the memorial because i think we all should recognise and accept jesus' command to remember him.

not for one minute do i think this is only for the so called anointed.

i know it is full of man made error and that my fellow brothers and sisters are in a state of mindless, spiritual unawareness.

Alive!

I feel for your torment - I do agree that the Jw.org's culture creates paranoia, lack of trust and all manner of unhealthy behaviours amongst JWs.

Once your ears tune into the 'manipulative' language used in the literature - you realise you are not hearing the voice of Christ, but a different voice....the illustrations, the 'real life' stories - it wasnt a cynical heart that started to feel ill at ease with the nature of their communication to us and the world - it was a heart that actually hurt because I knew it was wrong, something was terribly wrong.

It sounds to me, like you know in your heart where this is heading - keep building on your inner strength - and if at times you feel overwhelmed by fear of what comes next - keep firm and ask yourself, would I wish this burden of conflict on anyone? It will help you to straighten up and face the music.....

79

Plans for huge Jehovah's HQ take shape

by Formerbrother in

http://www.chelmsfordweeklynews.co.uk/news/11227290.plans_for_huge_jehovah_s_hq_take_shape/.

its going to be a real beautiful place when its finished.. they are going for quality over quantity.

it used to be accommodation for a few thousand permanent residents, now its looking like less than a thousand permanent with the possibility of a few thousand more in temporary accommodation should the need arise.. some say the plans are going to be like a garden of eden in england :) i mean they had farming in london over the years but this is going to be epic what they are planning for temple farm at chelmsford.. they are planting thousands (literally) of fruit trees, including tropical fruits in huge green houses, huge vines yards and then the same basic farming activities as before.

Alive!

My husband asked the other day 'where is the faith in a God who will provide?'

Why all this earthly accumulation of property? Expensively built and decorated?

'In this final hour' - hours upon hours and millions upon millions of donated cash are spent locked into property development - meanwhile, this does not spread a message to the world of self sacrifice, Christian endeavour.... no charitable works, schools, hospitals - just luxury appointed real estate for the 'few'

For a long, long time as a convert I couldnt but help 'watch' and check my trust and faith in men who claim to be Christ's only representatives, that is my scriptural responsibility as a Christian, the warnings are there after all, for a reason -and over twenty odd years I observed all this property change, I've seen so much expenditure wasted, truly wasted - so many man hours spent cleaning what is clean, looking after property, objects - whilst individuals bled on the way side....

This isn't representative of the early christian way. Is it? I mean - is it????

Such a confusing message is sent out to the world by the WT aka JW.org.

And they still haven't addressed many contradicting and 'stumbling' doctrines, including the blood doctrine where fractions, from donated blood are not deemed an evil offence to God....( and yes, I know - the whole doctrine is wrong anyway)

When I was still in, very active and even aux pioneering - the obsession with our 'properties' was disturbing to me....what with cleaning, building, repairing, studying 'books', preparing for meetings, attending meetings and 'getting hours in' - we were left with little time to spend critical and meaningful time with those in need.

That time was scooped out of what was left. Quite sad, isn't it?

79

Plans for huge Jehovah's HQ take shape

by Formerbrother in

http://www.chelmsfordweeklynews.co.uk/news/11227290.plans_for_huge_jehovah_s_hq_take_shape/.

its going to be a real beautiful place when its finished.. they are going for quality over quantity.

it used to be accommodation for a few thousand permanent residents, now its looking like less than a thousand permanent with the possibility of a few thousand more in temporary accommodation should the need arise.. some say the plans are going to be like a garden of eden in england :) i mean they had farming in london over the years but this is going to be epic what they are planning for temple farm at chelmsford.. they are planting thousands (literally) of fruit trees, including tropical fruits in huge green houses, huge vines yards and then the same basic farming activities as before.

Alive!

So many JWs are stocking up on silver eh?

Ah yes, just like Paul, Peter, John and other examples.

And lots of money and attention is spent on buildings, 'quality' park-like resorts - ah yes, just as Paul, Peter, John and others would have directed in the last days.....oh wait, hold on, I can't see any of that kind of direction in the bible?

People on the 'outside' don't look on and say 'yikes, this JWs mean business when they say the end is absolutely any day now'.

Materialistic eyes may be impressed.....but does it drive home the message of Christ?

43

WT Resurrection Hope Absolutely Ridiculous As Illustrated In Their Publications

by JW_Rogue in

saw this while browsing through the good news brochure:.

is it any wonder people aren't listening to jws anymore?

what an absolutely delusional scene!

Alive!

Guess Pirates are kind of hip for kids...there was yet another illustration in a publication showing a child teaching a resurrected pirate somewhere ....darn, can't remember where it was....

See, stuff like this raises my awareness regarding 'selling' a faith, seeking to appeal to a kid's world - suppose a real pirate is more exciting.....they've used this character more than once...someone in the writing department thinks 'Pirates' sell the goods, appeals to kids....and they would be right.

So, even if you don't believe in Christ - you can see how this sure isn't about appealing to the heart re Christ....it's about adventure, The cool fun of meeting a pirate in the 'new system' -

And they sneer at Christendom........

Man, I'm tired.....just glad I don't feel compelled to deliver their Disney hype anymore, they cheapen the glory.

43

WT Resurrection Hope Absolutely Ridiculous As Illustrated In Their Publications

by JW_Rogue in

saw this while browsing through the good news brochure:.

is it any wonder people aren't listening to jws anymore?

what an absolutely delusional scene!

Alive!

So.....

A JW friend at her non JWs father's funeral ( none of her family are JWs) followed her non-JW siblings' heart felt speeches about their love for their Dad, Mother and family life at the funeral by saying that she can't wait to meet her Father in the resurrection, and that she has kept his golf clubs in happy anticipation of seeing him again and playing golf with Dad in the resurrection she went onto give a full on 'witness' - this in the presence of a grieving non JW family and in opposition to the direct desire of her non- JW Father that his funeral should be entirely secular.

I felt she absolutely trespassed and trampled over decency....just my take.

Nothing spiritual going on there - just material cravings.....strangely her 'moment' of glory in terms of giving a witness at her non JW s father funeral somehow failed to grab the attention of 'truth seekers'.

By the way, she isn't a nut case but a very able, high money earning professional.

Believe me....so crazy.

11

Ronnie Corbett.

by karter in

jw
friends

and it's good nite from him.. one of the greatest comedians of my lifetime,he never used foul language he and ronnie barker were just truly funny.. i always enjoyed he two ronnie's.. rip.. karter.

.

Alive!

In an interview he said he hand-washed his own cashmere sweaters - bless him. Gosh those Ronnies made us laugh - loved seeing little Ronnie on WILTY recently - so sad but what a wonderful life he had with his lovely Anne.

RIP Ronnie - you are a legend.

71

This week's resurrection video, will it backfire on the wt?

by prologos in

the resurrection is supposed to be a joyous occasion?, if it ever happened!

--well, this week's showing at the hall was the opposite, it was about death with violins playing in the background.

a recently bereaved member, , full of tears, (like many others) could not contain herself.

Alive!

Great points @Millie.

I think that's exactly what got my attention - the lack of care and respect in showing this video regarding people's 'sacred ground' - where they are emotional and vulnerable.

I can't remember the whole video - so there was no scriptural content?

I do remember that the scenes were showing quite desirable interiors - everyone is attractive - it's all about staging.

And yes, a kindly announcement that it depicted scenes that may be painful to some, please don't feel obligated to attend - 'we understand'

But they don't understand - it's a ministry of robotic conformity. There are decent people outside of JW land who would push this away.....knowing that it is harmful.

71

This week's resurrection video, will it backfire on the wt?

by prologos in

the resurrection is supposed to be a joyous occasion?, if it ever happened!

--well, this week's showing at the hall was the opposite, it was about death with violins playing in the background.

a recently bereaved member, , full of tears, (like many others) could not contain herself.

Alive!

Doubtfully yours,

Fine - but there can be responsible discretion as to when and how such an emotionally charged scenario should be shown.

As I pointed out, there would be those who have no room 'midweek' to expose their hearts to feelings that are incredibly raw - imagine if you'd lost a child a couple of months earlier, was fighting to get back into normal daily life, trying to shelve feelings of pain that threaten to overwhelm because they have left a massive HOLE - perhaps you can't even go into their old bedroom, it's too painful. You are trying to keep a stable routine, pressures of work - you wouldn't need the casual outrolling of this video, and then have to battle the aftermath of your pain and loss - the trigger would be so powerful. You don't understand do you?

71

This week's resurrection video, will it backfire on the wt?

by prologos in

the resurrection is supposed to be a joyous occasion?, if it ever happened!

--well, this week's showing at the hall was the opposite, it was about death with violins playing in the background.

a recently bereaved member, , full of tears, (like many others) could not contain herself.

Alive!

Doubtfully yours

I'm sure that many would feel it's 'beautiful' - but what I object to in the video is the commercialised pulling of people's emotions...

So, the bereaved are in the middle of the week, perhaps they have just finished a busy day at work, and face work early the next morning. Perhaps they are struggling to keep their lives together.

So, the witness must accept all things at meetings as directly coming from Jehovah - a spiritual diet and provision not to be missed.

So, there is the sense of 'must attend and sit through this' - but it ignores that some will feel utterly raw and bloody through it and afterwards...but there is no back up provision to care for their emotional state immediately afterwards.....you can't take people to the edge of their emotional tethers without a gentle and caring back up plan......there a time and place for drawing out raw grief....and it should be within the individuals control.

For the ones who just broke down, it's actually unthinking and cruel to draw out such rawness, whilst they sit so exposed....possibly next to someone they are not close to,.....it's wrong. Do you get that?